Rugby AND (strength OR Speed)

McNeill, C, Beaven, CM, McMaster, DT, Ward, P, and Gill, N. Eccentric force-velocity-load relationship in trained rugby union athletes. J Strength Cond Res 38(3): 549-555, 2024-The force-velocity relationship is traditionally believed to resemble a hyperbolic shape, known as the "force-velocity curve." However, there is less evidence regarding this relationship during eccentric muscle action in multijoint isotonic exercise, especially in applied settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the force-velocity-load relationship in an incremental eccentric back squat test...

BACKGROUND: The response of oxygen uptake (VO<inf>2</inf>) and heart rate (HR) to continuous progressive large muscle mass exercise is not always linear. This study aimed to compare the patterns of the Speed/VO<inf>2</inf> (S/VO<inf>2</inf>) and speed/HR (S/HR) relationships during an incremental treadmill-running test in professional rugby players. METHODS: Fourteen professional rugby athletes performed a maximal incremental treadmill-running test, following the Conconi test protocol...

BACKGROUND: Pectoralis Major ruptures normally occur in activities and sports such as powerlifting and American football or rugby. It is a rarely reported phenomena in professional footballers. Surgery is normally considered the choice of management to enable a safe return to play with conservatively managed ruptures often resulting in significant strength deficits. This case report highlights the management of a pectoralis major rupture in a professional footballer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old professional footballer sustained a left pectoralis major rupture after falling to the floor...

BACKGROUND: Understanding the physical qualities of male, adolescent rugby league players across age groups is essential for practitioners to manage long-term player development. However, there are many testing options available to assess these qualities, and differences in tests and testing protocols can profoundly influence the data obtained. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this systematic review were to: (1) identify the most frequently used tests to assess key physical qualities in male, adolescent rugby league players (12-19 years of age); (2) examine the testing protocols adopted in studies using these tests; and (3) synthesise the available data from studies using the most frequently used tests according to age group...

The aim was to use a combination of video analysis and microtechnology (10 Hz global positioning system [GPS]) to quantify and compare the speed and acceleration of ball-carriers and tacklers during the pre-contact phase (contact - 0.5s) of the tackle event during rugby league match-play. Data were collected from 44 professional male rugby league players from two Super League clubs across two competitive matches. Tackle events were coded and subject to three stages of inclusion criteria to identify front-on tackles...

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of cycling-based repeated-sprint training in hypoxia versus in normoxia on single overground running sprint performance and associated force-velocity (F-V) profile in world-class female rugby sevens players. METHODS: Eighteen world-class female rugby sevens players were randomly assigned to repeated-sprint cycling training in normobaric hypoxia (n = 9) or normoxia (n = 9) groups. Training consisted of 4 sessions of repeated-sprint cycling training in normobaric hypoxia or in normoxia (4 × 5 × 5-s cycle sprints-25-s intersprint recovery performed in simulated altitude of ∼5000 m or in normoxia with 3-min interset rest in normoxia for both groups) in addition to rugby sevens training and strength and conditioning sessions within a 9-day intervention period before an international competition...

Trial matches are frequently used for team preparation in rugby league competitions, making it essential to understand the demands experienced to assess their specificity to actual competition. Consequently, this study aimed to compare the activity demands between pre-season trial matches and early in-season rugby league matches. Following a repeated-measures observational design, 39 semi-professional, male rugby league players from two clubs were monitored using microsensors during two trial matches and the first two in-season matches across two consecutive seasons...

OBJECTIVES: To examine the strength of the relationship between plantarflexor power and strength-endurance metrics and 10-m sprint times in male Rugby Union players. A secondary aim was to examine the strength of the relationship within calf muscle metrics. DESIGN: Observational cross-sectional correlational. SETTING: Field-based. PARTICIPANTS: Sixteen male Rugby Union players in the National Provincial Championship...

Video analysis is a useful tool for injury surveillance in rugby union. There are few video analysis studies in the professional female game, with most studies published in the male elite/professional settings. Moreover, there is a sparsity of literature in youth rugby settings. The following narrative review outlines the strengths and limitations of the current video analysis literature for injury surveillance in youth rugby union, highlights the importance of video analysis for youth rugby player safety and welfare, and discusses recommendations for using video analysis to inform player safety in youth rugby...

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effects of sociodemographic and player characteristics on the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool and neuropsychological scores over 8 years in a large sample of rugby players. DESIGN: An 8-year retrospective study of preseason clinical assessments of professional rugby players and players enrolled in training academies at professional clubs. METHODS: The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-3 or -5, Trail Making Test and Digit Symbol Substitution Test were administered prior to the start of the competition season for each player...

BACKGROUND: One of the most popular varieties of rugby is Rugby Union, in which a team consists of 15 players. Rugby Union is a full-contact sport, and players must demonstrate strength, endurance, speed and agility. During the match, players participate in multiple physical collisions and tackles, short-duration and high-intensity sprinting efforts. In addition, one of the elements affecting the effectiveness of the player's game can be the reaction time of the rugby player to the visual stimulus and the ability to read the game and react to the situations on the pitch...

Despite the advancement of diagnostic surgical techniques in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and rehabilitation protocols following ACL injury, only half of the athletes return to sports at a competitive level. A major concern is neuromechanical dysfunction, which occurs with injuries persisting in operated and non-operated legs following ACL rehabilitation. One of the criteria for a safe return to sports participation is based on the maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) performed unilaterally and a comparison between the 'healthy knee' and the 'operated knee'...

BACKGROUND: Underwater rugby (UWR) is a team sport. Athletes require a high degree of strength, endurance, speed, and coordination involving intense physical contact. Currently, a paucity of literature exists regarding injury occurrence in UWR. PURPOSE: To examine the nature and prevalence of acute and overuse injuries in UWR. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. METHODS: Between November 2020 and March 2021, a total of 720 German UWR athletes were invited to take an online survey developed by orthopaedic specialists with UWR athletes...

BACKGROUND: Keen vision is one of the most important qualities required of athletes. It enables players to perform sports-related drills and apply decision-making skills. To accurately measure the visual ability of athletes, it is important to first identify the variety of visual skills involved in the particular sport. The objectives of this novel review are to identify the most important visual skills required for rugby, and to create a reference point for further studies to include visual skills essential to rugby players...

Corrections to an article published in the May 2023 issue of JOSPT : Liston M, Leckey C, Whale A, van Dyk N. Neck Strength Assessment Offers No Clinical Value in Predicting Concussion in Male Professional Rugby Players: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2023;53(9):1. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.53.9.578 .

Understanding the physical fitness elements that influence high-intensity running ability during rugby matches is crucial for optimizing player performance and developing effective training strategies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationships between various physical fitness components and high-intensity running ability in rugby. For this purpose, 60 Japanese university rugby players were randomized into four groups and two matches were played. The participants were monitored in two matches, and their running abilities were assessed using GPS sensors...

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationships between a series of direct and indirect measures of linear and multidirectional speed performance in elite female rugby sevens players. METHODS: Nineteen players from the Brazilian national team performed 40-m linear sprint and 505 change-of-direction (COD) tests on the same day. Based on the linear sprint and COD test performances, the COD deficit (CODD) and deceleration deficit (DD) were also obtained. A Pearson product-moment correlation analysis was used to determine the relationships between linear sprint and COD-derived variables...

PURPOSE: This study implemented 18-week individual-specific sprint acceleration training interventions in elite male rugby backs based on their predetermined individual technical needs and evaluated the effectiveness of these interventions. METHODS: Individual-specific interventions were prescribed to 5 elite rugby backs over an 18-week period. Interventions were informed by the relationships between individual technique strategies and initial acceleration performance, and their strength-based capabilities...

PURPOSE: To determine the effects and transferability of a resisted-jump training program on strength, speed, power, and agility maintenance during the in-season phase of rugby training. METHODS: Thirty high-level male rugby players (age: 21.78 [1.86] y; height: 1.83 [0.10] m; mass: 95.17 [10.45] kg) participated in a crossover, within-subject study design. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment groups (resistance band [VertiMax, VM] or control [Con]) and evaluated on jumping, sprinting, agility, and strength over a 4-week period...

PURPOSE: To compare the effects between resisted sled sprint training (RSS) and unresisted sprint training (URS) on sprint and acceleration performance, vertical jump, and maximal strength during an 8-week period of preseason training. METHODS: Twenty-six recreational active rugby players were randomly divided into either RSS or URS training groups and then performed 8 weeks of training, 2 sessions/wk of sprint-specific training program. The RSS group performed sprints by towing a sled overloaded with 12...